23rd May 1923

Colyton. Devon

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Derek Warren from Colyton in East Devon made over fifty league appearances for Exeter City in the late 1940s and early 1950s having come through the amateur ranks. He went on to play for Yeovil Town. 

He was signed by Exeter on professional forms in January 1948, although he had featured in the reserves prior to that, after being captain of the Devon Yeomanry side which won the local Command Cup. He made his Football League debut for the Grecians in a 2-1 home win over Watford in a Third Division South fixture. Warren went on to feature in a total of 55 league matches and 8 Cup ties, which included playing against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA cup in January 1951 (with City losing the replay at Stamford Bridge). The following season he was the Grecians’ regular right-back up until his final match at against Reading at Elm Park in March 1952.

At the end of the season he was released and joined Yeovil Town in July 1952 where between he made 146 appearances mainly at full-back. He helped the club to lift the Southern League championship in the 1954-55 season. Later working in the building trade, Derek died on 6 October 2010 and is buried at Colyton St Andrews Church.

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